NBA: Top 5 Early MVP Candidates

December 18, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates after making a three-point basket in front of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Anthony Morrow (2) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Thunder 114-109. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors

One of the best ways to get MVP votes is to be a surprise candidate, especially being a player on a team that wasn’t expected to do as well as it did. Check out Derrick Rose’s MVP in the 2010-11 season.

The Raptors had a good season last year, finishing with the third seed in the Eastern Conference. This season, they were expected to have a similar season, if not a slight step back. Instead, they have a 22-7 record and sit atop of the East. Lowry is a big reason for it.

Lowry has increased his scoring by over two points a game from a year ago (17.9 ppg in 2013 and 20.0 in 2014). His other stats have been fairly similar (7.7 assists in 2014, 7.4 in 2013 and 4.7 rebounds in both 2013 and 2014), but where he is really helping his team is with his effectiveness.

Last season, Lowry’s PER was 20.1. He increased that to 24.0 this season. His better efficiency has made his points and assists be all the better for the Raptors.

It will be interesting to see if Lowry keeps this up. I will say he won’t. His Defensive Win Share number has gone down from 3.3 a season ago to 1.0 this season. He will have to tighten it up defensively if he is to be considered a serious MVP candidate.

Next: 4. Anthony Davis

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